The Sports for Nature initiative is reshaping how the sports sector approaches biodiversity, turning commitments into operational action through digital tools and geospatial intelligence. It is a global framework designed to make nature-positive action in sport measurable and practical.
Sports for Nature is a joint initiative of the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN), the International Olympic Committee (IOC), the United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP), the Secretariat of the Convention on Biological Diversity (CBD), and Dona Bertarelli Philanthropy.
Making sport decisions more nature-aware
Within this second phase of development, gisAction focused was on making spatial analysis more accessible and ensuring that complex datasets such as habitats, protected areas and biodiversity indicators are translated into clear, decision-ready outputs for sports organizations. The focus was on making spatial analysis more accessible and ensuring that complex datasets such as habitats, protected areas and biodiversity indicators are translated into clear, decision-ready outputs for sports organizations.
The result is a more operational system where biodiversity considerations are embedded into planning and decision-making, allowing sport organizations to evaluate, manage and monitor their impact on nature in a structured and data-driven way.
The project continues to evolve, with further milestones ahead as Sports for Nature expands its reach and strengthens its geospatial foundations. Recent updates highlight this momentum, with more than 150 sports organizations worldwide now part of the Sports for Nature Framework, contributing to a growing global movement committed to protecting and restoring nature through collective action.
This reflects a clear shift already underway, where sport is increasingly positioning itself as an active driver of nature-positive change. Stay tuned as the initiative continues to develop.
